A Beginner’s Guide to Styes and Chalazia

Do you have an annoying or painful lump on or inside of your eyelid? It might be a stye or chalazia. A stye is created when an eyelash follicle becomes infected with bacteria and is painful, red, and swollen. A chalazion is caused by an infection in an oil gland of the eyelid. Both conditions are frustrating and might look similar, but they are different.

Stye symptoms

A stye will start off as a red bump on the edge of the eyelid that looks similar to a pimple.

A stye will make the surrounding area feel swollen and painful and look irritated and red.

A stye will typically last for three days before draining and healing. In total, they last about one week.

Chalazia symptoms

Chalazia begin as a lump or cyst-like formation beneath the skin of the eyelid.

Chalazia don’t usually hurt.

They grow slowly but will go away after a few months without treatment.

A chalazion may grow to the point where it gets in the way of your vision.

Treatment Techniques

Although styes and chalazia are distinct conditions, they can be treated similarly. First, use a warm compress to hold against the infected area for up to ten minutes, three to six times during the day. The warmth and pressure will help relieve some of the pain while helping unblock the pore. You can also visit your pharmacist and request an over the counter treatment, like an ointment. Remember to let the chalazion or stye open and heal on its own. By touching and tampering with the infected area, you may increase irritation or introduce more bacteria. Also, do not wear eye makeup or contact lenses until the infected area is completely healed.

Schedule a consultation

If you have tried the at home remedies and treatments for a stye or chalazion and still see no improvement, don’t hesitate to call The Eye Associates today. Remember, the best care is preventive care. If you have not had a general eye exam lately, schedule yours today. You can reach our team by calling us at Meridian: 208-342-5151or Caldwell: 208-459-0717.